Nuclear talks hit snag on Chinese proposal

Beijing  North Korean disarmament talks resumed today as chief envoys from the six nations met to resolve a dispute over a Chinese proposal to allow Pyongyang keep its civilian atomic power program after it disarms.

The heads of all six delegations met briefly early this morning hoping to find a compromise, Chinese officials said. Results of that meeting were not immediately available.

"We'll see where we are at the end of the day," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said earlier as he left his hotel. Hill said he would stay in Beijing another day.

Washington insists North Korea cannot be trusted with any type of nuclear program, given its history of pursuing atomic bombs.

The talks include China, Japan, Russia, the United States and the two Koreas.

The Chinese proposal affirms North Korea's right to peaceful nuclear activities after it ends its weapons program.

Japan's envoy said earlier Saturday that none of the participants were completely happy with China's proposal, casting doubt on whether negotiators would be able to sign off on China's latest proposal today.